| Author |
Message |
    
marc pullum
New Member
Username: Brewinales
Post Number: 18
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 207.200.116.133
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:58 pm: | 
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several of us are putting in an order with north country malt. i was planning on a couple bags of thomas fawcett marris otter as my base grain but noted availibility of halcyon and optic. any comments on these malts,especially as compared to basic MO? i've never tried either. |
Graham Cox
Advanced Member
Username: T2driver
Post Number: 1000
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.32.253.156
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 10:13 pm: |
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Fawcett Optic is very good. It has HUGE barleycorns, the biggest I've ever seen. Easy to mill, good flavor. Is it better than any of the others? I've never done a side-by-side. However, I went through a whole sack of it with no complaints whatsoever. Thumbs up.
edit: WOO HOO!!! 1000 posts! (Good Lord, how much time have I frittered away here?!  )
(Message edited by t2driver on March 21, 2007) |
Tom Meier
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdawg96
Post Number: 530
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 74.241.150.71
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 12:01 am: |
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I thought that there was a reduced malty character in both the Optic and the Golden Promise, compared to the TF Maris. I've never bought them again, and just stick with MO for base.
But another NCM malt I have had highly recommended to me is the ESB malt that they just started carrying. supposed to be great for bitters. I will be trying some next order. |
Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2514
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 12:40 am: |
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I agree on the Golden Promise vs Marris Otter comment, haven't tried the Optic recently. If I were getting 2-3 bags, I'd probably experiment (vs getting all 1 kind)... Great idea on bulk order, assuming there's no LHBS that will work with you on sack purchases, of course...  |
davidw
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 1728
Registered: 03-2001
Posted From: 65.163.6.62
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 01:23 pm: |
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I've actually stopped getting MO in favor of Optic and use it most frequently for PA's and IPA's. To me it has just as good a malt flavour as MO and I typically get 2-3 points more extraction from it. It produces a beautiful straw yellow colour when used as 100% of the grist.
That said, I've got a bag each of the Gambrinus Pale ale and ESB malt that I'm dying to dig into. |
Joe Williams
Member
Username: Joewilliams
Post Number: 120
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 155.215.21.3
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 03:58 pm: |
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Hophead, I was at NCM a few weeks ago and Bryan told me that he deals to very few LHBS. He tried to use that approach initially but the big homebrew wholesalers (i.e. Crosby & Baker) strong arm small stores by telling them if they buy sack grain from an outside source that retailer will be cut off from the wholesaler. That's why NCM is so eager to deal direct to homebrewers. They said that there's almost 200 of us that are regular customers. |
Spartacus
Junior Member
Username: Spartacus_manly
Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 24.128.118.170
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 04:00 pm: |
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I am pretty surprised on the Golden Promise comments.
Sorry Roger, You Tiger now!
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Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 6775
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.224.220
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 06:08 pm: |
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Joe, you're in that part of the world, so no doubt you realize that North Country Malt is all but in Canada (no more than a couple of miles from the border and less than an hour's drive from Montreal if there are no traffic problems). That part of New York State is rather deserted, so surely they have more potential customers north of the border than to the immediate south. Also, Champlain is where quite a few Canadian companies (for example, Unibroue) have set up US distribution subsidiaries.
I'm wondering if you know whether NCM deals with Canadian customers. I'm not looking for a primary malt supplier; I happen to live a little more than an hour's drive from a wholesaler (one of NCM's suppliers, incidentally) that has excellent pricing. However, they do not stock a number of specialty malts (Dingemann's, for example) that NCM does.
One of the ironies of NAFTA is that it applies only at the manufacturing and wholesale level. It doesn't apply to individuals. Basically the only way I could deal with NCM in a cost-effective way is if they already have set up a Canadian distribution subsidiary at the wholesale level. Otherwise the duties and customs brokerage fees would add 30-40 percent to my cost. |
Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2515
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 06:40 pm: |
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Joe, that's odd, I had always heard we (homebrewers) could only get grain shipped direct if we didn't live within a certain distance from an LHBS that they ship too?
Of course, the shipping to west US pretty much means I'd have to organize a whole pallet order to make it worthwhile!
Spart, don't get me wrong, I like golden promise, and prefer it in certain styles over marris otter, but (to me) there is a discernable difference in the 'maltiness' contributions from the two... I'd like to try Optic too. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 4158
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 216.23.59.245
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 07:56 pm: |
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Joe, we just received a shipment from NCM. No big deal. Haven't heard a thing from any other distributors. I would be real surprised if we ever did.
--This space is STILL being left intentionally blank.-
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Steve H.
Member
Username: Steveh
Post Number: 145
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 65.78.86.82
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 11:31 pm: |
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I've had great luck with their halcyon. When I was ordering, the person I talked to recommended the halcyon as his favorite malt. Never a problem or bad brew with it.
Steve |
Jeff Preston
Member
Username: Jeffpreston
Post Number: 249
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 142.161.188.50
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 12:07 am: |
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Gambrinus ESB malt, MMMM good. Four years ago I was in Armstrong,B.C. and stopped in at the malt plant. I purchased three sacks of ESB but have never seen it available since. Of course its hard to get a great selection in my part of the country. Shipping is insane. |
KeepBrewing
Member
Username: Kb7
Post Number: 227
Registered: 05-2002
Posted From: 24.184.80.79
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 01:25 am: |
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halcyon is great |
Master B
Member
Username: Cwixon
Post Number: 145
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.149.67.117
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 04:04 am: |
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It is just about $50 for a 25kg bag of marris otter at my LHBS.
I never considered shopping online because I figured it would be an outrageous shipping cost at that kind of weight.
Can you buy 100 lbs from NCM at the commercial rate? I know I'm dreaming. the site doesn't really say (just orders <2000 lbs). Just wondering if anyone's had experience considering it is late here and I know they're not open. (And I should probably be sleeping right now)
Cheers!
We're not here for a long time. We're here for a good time.
Cheers to life!!
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John Baer
Member
Username: Beerman
Post Number: 193
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 171.159.64.10
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 11:03 am: |
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Master B,
Check out the website, www.northcountrymalt.com, they have a section for homebrewers. You can get a bag of grain for around $25 and, for me, shipping (Providence, RI area) is $13 a bag. $38 all in is not bad, its much lower than any of the local stores and even less expensive than the online retailers that offer free shipping.
NAYY
JB
(Message edited by beerman on March 23, 2007) |
Steve Jones
Intermediate Member
Username: Stevej
Post Number: 291
Registered: 08-2001
Posted From: 24.159.40.129
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 11:52 am: |
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Another reason to be in a great club. We just submitted our 4th yearly pallet order (42 bags) from NCM. Including shipping (to TN) it averages out to about $31 per 25kg bag. The last bag I bought from my LHBS (about 30 miles away, and 4 years ago) cost me $60 including tax.
While I do advocate supporting your LHBS, ours is by far primarily a vineyard/winery and vintner's supply store, and only have brew supplies as a courtesy. Their homebrew business is primarily extract & basic equipment, so I would have to call them up, place an order, wait till it gets here, then drive 60 miles round trip and pay twice as much. I'd be pretty stoopid if I did that.
Last year we also bought a 5 gallon bucket of PBW and a 4 gallon carton of StarSan as well. The PBW worked out to less than $2 per lb (vs $10 at the LHBS) and the StarSan around $6 per quart (vs $19 at the LHBS).
It really is a no-brainer for us. |
Master B
Member
Username: Cwixon
Post Number: 146
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.149.67.117
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 10:17 pm: |
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John,
THanks for the input. I'll have to consider them for my next purchase. I live in Detroit so it might be a bit more pricey for shipping. I left them a message.
Steve you got it right there. I wish there were some clubs around here. Does anyone know of some kind of "index" of homebrew clubs? I live in Canton MI (Same as Pat!!).
Thanks for the info guys!
We're not here for a long time. We're here for a good time.
Cheers to life!!
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Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 6782
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.224.220
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 10:40 pm: |
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I know of three clubs in your rough general area, Master B: the Fermental Order of Renaissance Draughtsmen (FORD), the Downriver Brewers Guild and the Ann Arbor Brewers Guild. |
Tom Meier
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdawg96
Post Number: 531
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 70.149.137.202
| | Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 11:51 pm: |
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If anyone around Nashville wants in, my local club has another order in May. Be glad to accomodate a fellow B&V'er
They were supposed to start shipping from Chicago to homebrewers ($2/bag to here), but I guess that fell through. Nothing about it on the website, and looks like the Chicago location is now midcountrymalts.com. Still $4-$5/bag from upstate NY ($175 pallet rate)
Like Steve I also support my local as much as I can, but when a guy can brew 2 or 3 batches for the price of one, its a no brainer. If I bought it all there, I'd feel like I'd need a charity write off on my taxes.. you know for the amount above the actual goods received. |
Marlon Lang
Junior Member
Username: Marlon_lang
Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 65.0.99.242
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 01:45 am: |
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Like Steve Jones, our club orders 20 sack pallet loads from NB. Louisiana is a long ways from New York, but with motor-freight shipping, I get Canadian 2-row, $.65/lb delivered.
Regarding Maris Otter: I ordered 200 lb last summer. The beers I made from it were very high in protien (beetles). I haven't seen this in quite some time. This IS NOT a reflection on NB. Beetles are something a homebrewer learns to live with. They're everywhere!!! |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 785
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 24.158.157.254
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 01:55 am: |
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Tom,
sent you an e-mail.
Tim |
marc pullum
New Member
Username: Brewinales
Post Number: 19
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 207.200.116.133
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 02:06 pm: |
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We actually changed the gig and are ordering from their chicago subsidiary midcountry malts. far better shipping price for us in omaha and essentially the same grains and prices. no optic for example so i'm getting a bag each of halcyon,golden promise and 2 of MO. Since i already have 50 lb each of vienna and german pils i'm gonna be fat on grain. we also are splitting bags of chocolate, aromatic, crystal 60 amoung 6 or 7 of us . Thanks for all of the comments |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 786
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 24.158.157.254
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 07:05 pm: |
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Hey marc, I looked at the midcountrymalt website and didn't see any info about sales to homebrewers.
Did you have to call them?
Tim |
Dave Witt
Advanced Member
Username: Davew
Post Number: 942
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 64.53.226.78
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:24 pm: |
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Tim,
For an order pick up, call the number on the website (its the same number you use for North country) and talk to Bryan. He will give you his email and then you send him a list of what you want and he will send you a price quote. Sounds kind of complicated, but I've dealt with him before, he's a really good guy. He's one of the owners.
They may not have the 1# HB size packages yet, but homebrewers can order bulk grain. |
Vance Barnes
Senior Member
Username: Vancebarnes
Post Number: 2700
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 208.49.148.10
| | Posted on Monday, March 26, 2007 - 09:43 pm: |
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I've used the TF Halycon, Optic, and MO. The Optic was OK but I like the flavors of the Halycon and MO better. Never tried the GP from them.
I got a gal of StarSan from NCM a few years back on a bulk order and looks like it might last another 20 years or so. There's a hazadarous shipping charge but it's the same for 1 gal or 20 so works best for a club purchase. |
Tom Meier
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdawg96
Post Number: 534
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 70.157.39.217
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 12:31 am: |
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Marc,
Thats great news about the Chicago location being available for shipping to homebrewers, thanks for the tip. |
Paul Edwards
Senior Member
Username: Pedwards
Post Number: 1335
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 70.236.23.158
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 11:38 am: |
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I got this e-mail response from Kelly Kuehl, VP of Sales at Mid Country Malt:
"Yes, we sell to individuals from our Chicago warehouse and pick up orders are fine, Monday-Friday. Orders can be placed through our toll free number - 866-428-1438.
Thank you!
Kelly Kuehl - VP Sales
Mid Country Malt Supply"
That phone number is the Chicago toll-free number. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 6797
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.224.220
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 08:54 pm: |
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Kelly Kuehl was formerly with Briess and is a good guy. He knows his malt. |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 794
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 170.141.68.2
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 09:23 pm: |
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Shipping to TN from Chicago would save about $4.25 according to the FedEx website. $20/bag as oppossed to $24/bag.
Thanks!
T |
marc pullum
New Member
Username: Brewinales
Post Number: 20
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 207.200.116.133
| | Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 08:23 pm: |
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Tim, the trick is to get a bunch of guys together and pallet ship. we also were able to have it delivered to council bluffs iowa and saved much over crossing the river into omaha |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 803
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 170.141.68.2
| | Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 09:00 pm: |
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Marc,
I am getting in on a pallet order in about 4 weeks.
Tim |
Brews and Views Archive 2007 
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